Feb. 20, 2008 - Are You Struggling?

So many people I am talking to are saying how hard this year is going to be. I refuse to be sucked into that scenario.

I've been reading a very interesting book my sweet daughter, Coco Fossland, sent me for Christmas. The Astonishing Power of Emotions is by Jerry & Esther Hicks, the original Law of Attraction authors. Their analogy of our life being like a river is one that was interesting to me. We worked on this concept during my REINVENTION Retreat and most participants found it one of the most powerful distinctions we visited.

When you are on the river and going with the flow, you are effortlessly floating downstream. When you turn the boat and try to go upstream, there is struggle and hard work. The interesting thing they pointed out was, that most of the time, we humans are paddling hard upstream instead of relaxing and trusting the flow to take us where we want to go. Their coaching is that by changing your self-talk, you can start to turn that boat where you are struggling, slowly towards the downstream. By the end of the retreat, we were asking ourselves and each other whether a statement was an upstream or downstream thought. The awareness of being able to reframe the situation brought relief.

This is another example of how important it is to listen to what you are speaking and take a look to see if you are feeding yourself thoughts that empower you or thoughts that keep you stuck struggling upstream. Do you think it is going to be a hard year? (upstream) Or a year with lots of opportunity? (downstream) The look of the opportunity today isn't familiar to us and many people are oblivious to their power to turn their boats downstream and go with the flow.

COACH'S TIP> Listen to yourself as you go through the day. If there is somewhere you are stuck or struggling, examine if your thoughts are upstream or downstream. Consciously reframe the upstream thoughts to give you more relief.

Invite someone else to play this game with you and give each other cues when you hear upstream conversation! Have fun with it.

Feb. 21, 2008 - RE: Are You Struggling?

Feb. 26, 2008 - RE: Are You Struggling?

I agree with you completely. I am constantly astonished at how many people walk around with negative thoughts and are surprised when negative things happen to them. I simply won't let my mind go there. It does not do any good to think bad thoughts and invite misery into your life. It's not about being unrealistic but it is about living in the here and now and accepting life as it comes at you...not with fear but with anticipation. 

Good post, Linda

Feb. 27, 2008 - RE: Are You Struggling?

Bill

Thanks for your comments and good for you!!!! It's the little things that make a difference and your perceptions are powerful! Bet you have a great year!!!

Feb. 27, 2008 - RE: Are You Struggling?

Linda

Good for you! Thanks for coming by and I know you will thrive this year!